April 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 44

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Commit to Health and Conservation:
Seven Simple Activities
By Daniel W. Hatcher

P

romoting conservation and appreciation for nature is a key aspect of
park and recreation programming across the country. In addition to
increasing youth and families' exposure to the great outdoors, conservation activities are wonderful opportunities to encourage children to
eat better and move more!
Here are seven activities for you to try this spring:

1

Cultivate personal awareness.
Start with a nature walk. It doesn't
matter if you're walking down a city
block or strolling around a pond - take
time to reflect and reconnect with your
love of the environment. Now, share
that love with your students. Provide
simple supplies and make nature journals with children. Encourage them
to write down what they hear, smell
and see. It may seem easier to just take
pictures with your camera, but slowing down and writing creates a deeper

42	 Parks & Recreation

impact and helps you stay connected
to the earth. Turn nature journals into
art projects like posters, dioramas and
plays. Use these to prompt deeper explorations. Activities rooted in personal experiences will last longer and have
deeper meaning.

2

Start small and let ideas grow.
The tallest sunflower starts as a
seed. Find your seeds of inspiration,
like making butterfly snacks with children. It's as simple as a slice of banana

| A P R I L 2 0 1 6 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

with two pretzels as wings and raisin
eyes. As you make this healthy snack,
ask children, " When was the last time
you saw a butterfly? Where was it?
What was it doing? What type was it?
Was it a monarch? " Now that you've
started the conversation, explore NRPA's Parks for Monarchs initiative
(www.nrpa.org/parks4monarchs).
The best way to build support for such
efforts is to make the issue relatable.
This can be as simple as a healthy
snack that starts a conversation.

3

Serve and celebrate.
Whether your agency is interested in saving monarch butterflies,
beach cleanups or trail maintenance,
let service to your community instigate conservation-related activities.



April 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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